Lived Experience and Attempt Survivors

The Way Forward Pathways to hope, recovery, and wellness with insights from lived experience

The National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention’s Suicide Attempt Survivors Task Force has released The Way Forward, a report which gives voice to suicide attempt survivors and bridges the gap between suicide attempt survivors, clinicians, hospital policy makers, and suicide prevention leaders. The Way Forward summarizes eight core values and offers a lens through which suicide prevention can be envisioned to embrace safety and bring hope and meaning to those in suicidal despair. Read The Way Forward and the press release about this pivotal path for change and a roadmap to save lives.

Live Through This is a collection of portraits and stories of suicide attempt survivors, as told by those survivors. It strips the issue of anonymity and encourages survivors to own their experiences publicly and proudly. It's the first known project of its kind, exploring a world that has remained a taboo for far too long.

From SAMHSA - Guides people through the first steps toward recovery and a hopeful future after a suicide attempt. Includes personal stories from survivors who share their experiences as well as strategies, such as re-establishing connections and finding a counselor to work with.

A Voice at the Table, a 35-minute documentary, began as a casual text conversation in June 2013. It gradually gained momentum over several months, almost a whispered voice at the table; or more to the point, a voice long missing from the suicide education and prevention table – the voice of the suicide attempt survivor. Where does that voice belong?

Some of what JD suggests may work for you, some may not. However, the following is his attempt to provide resources to those who have attempted suicide and survived. He has recognized a deafening silence in this arena and gives his take on some coping strategies and skills for every day life. His TED talk of his story and experience can be found here.